Microsoft has been trialling its Skype Translator softwarethat automatically translates voice calls between people, and it’s getting a language update. While the initial version only supported English and Spanish, today’s update brings Italian and Mandarin.

The new service translates conversations both ways in near real-time. The service will display an on-screen transcript of the call, and also eventually will translate instant-message chats in more than 45 languages. As part of a preview program, Skype Translator makes it possible for English and Spanish speakers to communicate in their native language, without having to learn a new one. It sounds like delightful, but it’s the effect of years of work from Microsoft’s research team and Skype to grant an early working copy of software that could help revolutionize the way the world communicates in the future.

Microsoft is promoting Skype Translator as a tool for schools and the company tested it out with students in the US and Mexico. Skype is already admired in the classroom, with teachers participating in video conferences around the globe to connect their schools to classrooms across the world.Microsoft is also translating instant messaging conversations through Skype Translator, with more than 45 different languages supported. If you’re fascinated in trying Skype Translator then you’ll needto request an invite at Microsoft’s Skype site.

Author : Mohammed Ashfaq Ahmed

Designation:Associate BloggerBio:A design oriented person who basically focus on the architectural phase rather than its actual implementation. He is a computer science engineer with expertise in UI framework.